FRIEDRICHTAKESTHEREINSINHAND。
June—December，1740。
ChapterI。
PHENOMENAOFFRIEDRICH’SACCESSION。
InBerlin，fromTuesday，31stMay，1740，dayofthelateKing’sdeath，tilltheThursdayfollowing，thepostwasstoppedandthegatesclosed；noestafettecanbedespatched，thoughDickensandalltheAmbassadorsarebusywriting。OntheThursday，Regiments，Officers，principalOfficialshavingsworn，andthenewKingbeingfairlyinthesaddle，estafettesandpost—boysshootforthatthetopoftheirspeed；andRumor，towardseverypointofthecompass，apprisesmankindwhatimmensenewsthereis。[Dickens（inState—